Notes by Prof. Salviati: Elongated and slightly arched jades carved in the shape of dragons or phoenixes with a pointed end are traditionally known as xi or ‘knot-openers’: however, as many other jades, xi did not have an utilitarian function but were rather used as decorative pendants in composite ornaments formed by different jades, as attested by finds in Western and Eastern Zhou tombs. Xi remained in use until the Western Han period, when they were occasionally placed in the hands of the deceased: such is the case with Zhao Mo, the second ruler of the southern kingdom of Nanyue (2nd century BC). This xi is carved in a variety of white jade with almost no inclusions: the dragon has strong feline features and the body is finely detailed. A pair of very similar dragon-shaped xi, part of a five-piece set of ornaments in jade, has been discovered in the Nanyue tomb excavated at Guangzhou. The overall outline and design is similar to the present Lot, but the Nanyue jades are plainer, silhouette-like and lack the fine surface details of this xi. The same tomb has yielded another comparable jade which was found in the left hand of King Zhao Mo. In museum collections, a similar dragon-shaped xi is in the Freer/Sackler Galleries, acc. no. RLS1997.48.2135: http://www.asia.si.edu/collections/edan/object.php?q=fsg_RLS1997.48.2135 A second, very similar jade, originally in the collection of Alfred F. Pillsbury (1869-1950), is now in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (acc. no.50.46.278): https://collections.artsmia.org/art/948/pendant-in-the-form-of-a-xi-tiger-china Compare also one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in National Palace Museum 國立故宮博物院, Gugong gu yu tu lu 故宫古玉圖錄 (Illustrated Catalogue of Ancient Jade Artefacts), National Palace Museum, Taipei 1988.

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